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Action Alert: Urge Your Elected Officials To Support National Hepatitis Testing Day!

Action AlertUrge Your Elected Officials To Support National Hepatitis Testing Day!

Hepatitis Awareness Month and National Hepatitis Testing Day are important events that raise awareness about hepatitis B and C and encourage those at risk to be tested and linked to care. They are also great opportunities to talk to our elected representatives about the need for funding and legislation to help advance the fight against viral hepatitis.

You can help make a difference by calling your Members of Congress during the month of May (and ideally on May 19th – National Hepatitis Testing Day) and asking them to take action on the following items:

Support Increased Funding for Viral Hepatitis:

Federal funding for viral hepatitis services is far below what is needed to provide adequate hepatitis B and C testing, linkage to care, and education. At least $47.8 million for the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is needed in the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations bill. Call your U.S. House Representative and two U.S. Senators and urge them to support $47.8 million in funding for viral hepatitis in the final Fiscal Year 2015 appropriation bill.

Co-Sponsor the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act:

H.R. 3723, the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act, is a bipartisan bill pending in Congress. It would authorize $80 million over three years for targeted hepatitis B and C testing and linkage to care services. We need a long list of co-sponsors to make sure this bill gets a vote. Call your U.S. House Representative and urge him/her to co-sponsor H.R. 3723.

Be personal!

When you call your elected officials, make sure you tell them why viral hepatitis is important to you. Our representatives are more responsive when they understand how their votes or actions affect their own constituents. Briefly telling your story is a key way to establish a relationship with them.

How to contact Congress:

You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.

If you need help identifying your Members of Congress or crafting your message, write to info@nvhr.org.